Page 53 of His Forgotten Highland Bride

Chapter Twenty

Hours later, Ronan entered the great hall. He paused to order his men to bring food, as some had missed their meal while others ate whenever food was available. Climbing the stairs, he greeted the men at the solar’s door. He was relieved to see a welcoming smile rather than the familiar scowl, as Malcolm reported.

“All’s quiet, my laird. How did you make out?”

“We found the lass wandering alone in the meadow on the southern border. The girl said the man who held her didn’t show his face and that he’d ridden south. I think it is safe to say Ewan left clan lands after he realized we were chasing him.”

The brothers exchanged a look.

“Until we’re certain, Gabe and I would prefer to keep watch over m’lady when she’s not with you.”

“Aye. I agree. I do not wish to be careless with my wife.” He paused. “I wish to thank ye both for protecting her when I wasn’t here to do it.”

They nodded in unison and then moved aside for Ronan to enter the solar.

Inside, he smiled seeing his wife sleeping on the chair by the window, as if she’d nodded off while watching for him to return. She would have seen the gate, well-lit with torches, from her perch.

The young maid, Larrie, slept on another chair. Ronan woke her and told her quietly that her sister had been returned to her aunt and was unharmed.

She hurried off after a hug that surprised him for its fierceness for such a slight girl.

Brenna stirred and sat up. “Did you find her?”

“Aye. She is fine.”

“And Ewan?”

“He has gone. We think he’s left Grant lands, but we’ll continue to keep watch for now.”

She nodded and glanced through the windows.

“I’ll see that you are safe. And when I can’t be with you, your guards will remain with you as they have done.”

“It’s not myself I’m worried about. He seems determined to be laird, which makes you his target.”

It seemed odd, this danger hanging over him. In France, the threat was always head-on. He knew what front to protect. This was infuriating. He had only spent a few hours in this danger and was already restless about seeing an end to it. How had Brenna lived like this every day?

Ronan nodded. “Ewan planned to stay close until he had the opportunity and could make it look like an accident. Now that I know the truth, he no longer needs to pretend.”

“I’m sorry, this must be difficult for you. To think him a friend and a brother only to be betrayed.”

“He has made his choices. Power can make an otherwise rational person abandon their honor. I’ve seen it with my mother. I don’t think there is much she wouldn’t do to ensure her place of power and riches. I’m sorry if I expected that from you when I returned.”

“Ewan played on your fears. It is what the best villains do.”

It was true, but he’d hoped he wouldn’t have fallen for the ruse so easily. He’d never even considered his wife was innocent.

“Besides,” Brenna said, “now that you know the truth, we can move forward without these lies between us.”

How forgiving she was. Not just for his lack of faith in her but for leaving her. For never writing back, for doing his best to forget she was waiting here for him. “I have many other things to be sorry for, wife. I’ve treated you horribly.”

She shook her head. “The past is behind us.”

“And our future is before us,” he said with a smile. “I intend to make it a pleasant one indeed.”

The soft blush on her cheeks proved she’d understood his underlying promise.

“Shall we retire for the night?” he suggested in a low voice that hinted at what he intended when he got her behind their closed door.